Philippine Student Visa

PHILIPPINE SCHOOLS: World-class education at an affordable price

For quite a number of years now, the Philippines has been playing the role of global educator to foreigners who seek inexpensive but quality education.

Being the largest English-speaking country in the Southeast Asian region, Philippine professors of higher learning mainly use the English language as the medium of instruction.

Thus, it is but rational that the country now boasts more than 5,000 foreign students enrolled in the more than 275 Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) duly accredited by the government’s Commission on Higher Education (CHED), several of which are ISO-certified universities, and are equipped with up-to-date instructions as well as huge knowledge resources.

As proof that the educational system of the Philippines is one of the best in Asia, it has sent thousands of doctors, nurses, engineers as well as other professionals to work in the US, UK, Middle East and other 1st world countries which all have nothing but praises for the Philippine-educated workforce.

Aside from the state-of-the-art and superb education being offered by the Philippines, another factor that seem to lure foreign students in the country is its relaxed and less-hostile environment, making it very conducive to studying.

Who is a foreign student?

To be qualified, Manila Visa explains that the applicant must be a bonafide foreign student who is at least eighteen (18) years of age at the time of enrolment, and whose main intention is to take up a course in a university or college authorized to admit foreign students (these CHED-accredited schools are referred to as Higher Educational Institutions or HEIs). The applicant must likewise possess the ability to financially support his studies in the country.

Under the law, the 9(F) student visa applicant must communicate directly with the HEI of choice and submit the following requirements:

Five (5) copies of accomplished and duly signed Personal History Statements (PHS), with 2×2 pictures.

Scholastic records duly authenticated by the Philippine embassy/consulate located in the student’s country of origin.

Notarized affidavit of support including bank statements to cover all expenses of the student.

Photocopy of data page of student’s passport showing date and place of birth.

Birth certificate or its equivalent duly authenticated by the Philippine embassy/consulate located in the student’s country of origin.

An applicant desiring to study medicine or dentistry must submit the above documents to the CHED-Office of the Student Services (OSS) for evaluation, who will then issue the Certificate of Eligibility for Admission (CEA), and forward it to the HEI.

For those desiring to enroll in a dental course, the following supporting documents are required:

a.Scholastic records signed by the registrar and stamped with the school seal

b.Birth certificate/passport

c.Notice of Acceptance from the admitting school with quota number

For those desiring to pursue a medical course, the following supporting documents are required:

a.Transcript of Records authenticated by the registrar and stamped with the school seal

b.Birth Certificate or passport

c.Notice of acceptance from the admitting school with quota number

d.Diploma or Certificate of Graduation from a collegiate course

If the HEI or university is satisfied with the requirements submitted by the applicant, it shall issue a “Notice of Acceptance” or NOA in favor of the applicant and shall likewise send a corresponding copy to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), together with the CEA, in the case of a medical or dental student.

Upon receipt of the NOA, the DFA will then indorse it to the Foreign Service Post (FSP) of the student’s country of origin, afterwhich a corresponding Student Visa shall be issued.

As a general rule, the applicant must be outside the Philippines when he submits the requirements. However, if the applicant is already in the Philippines by virtue of any other visa category, he may apply for the conversion of his visa status to a 9(f) student visa by filing the following documents:

Original NOA

Proof of adequate financial support

Scholastic records authenticated by the Philippine embassy/consulate in student’s country of origin

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance

Quarantine Medical Examination

PHS with 2×2 photo

Photocopy of data page of student’s passport showing date and place of birth

Initially, the applicant will be given a period of one year authorized stay in the Philippines, which is renewable/extendible every semester. However, the applicant’s authorized period of stay in the country will be based on the length of the course which he/she enrolled in.

Exempted aliens

The spouse and the unmarried, dependent children below 21 years of age of the following visa holders need not secure a student visa:

a.Permanent foreign residents

b.Aliens with valid working permits

c.Personnel of foreign diplomatic and consular missions

d.Personnel of duly accredited international organizations residing in the Philippines

e.Holders of Special Investor’s Resident Visa

f.Holders of Special Retiree’s Resident Visa